We have no vaccination requirements for any virtual or online services where we are not meeting in person.  We do recommend to at a minimum have your dog up to date on rabies when doing training with us in any format.

For in person services at our location: In our on-going effort to provide you and your dog’s with the best care and service possible as well as provide a clean and healthy environment for all, we require ALL dogs that participate in any activity at our Freedom Dog Training Academy location provide proof of the following veterinary records from a licensed veterinarian.

For puppies 8-20 weeks:

a) rabies vaccination no later than 16 weeks of age

b) age appropriate distemper/parvo combo shots

c) negative fecal within 30 days of the first appointment and then updated every six months thereafter

For dogs 21 weeks and older:

a) rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)

b) distemper/parvo combo (1yr, 3 yrs or a yearly titer)

c) negative fecal within 6 months of the first appointment and then updated every six months thereafter

If your dog tests positive on their fecal, they need to be treated.  After treatment, a new fecal test will be needed to make sure the treatment has worked.  Some parasites require more than one round of treatment to get rid of them.

We don't require the bordetella vaccine but Client is welcome to have their dog vaccinated with bordetella. Client understands that even if Client's dog is vaccinated against kennel cough (bordetella) or not vaccinated, there is a chance that the owner's dog can still contract kennel cough.

We appreciate your willingness to help us keep our facility as clean and safe as possible for the enjoyment of all.

For training at your home we do not require a fecal test.

For example Mel is a dog who has a history of going berserk when the UPS man drops off a package.  By teaching Mel how to relax (lowering his threshold for barking) and that there are lots of other choices that can be rewarded (other than going berserk), Mel learns that when the UPS man drops off a package to just watch quietly or even ignore him on his own without us having to tell him what to do.

We are a training facility and all dogs training with us in board and train, stay in our house.  We do offer boarding to our training clients on a case by case basis.  Dogs are staying in and integrate into our home while boarding.  Since the dogs are familiar with our training and structure, their stay with us is less stressful and more fun. We do not board dogs we do not know.

No, while we use a lot of positive reinforcement when training dogs, we also use the other three quadrants of operant conditioning.  As soon as you withhold food from the dog to decrease a behavior (for example withhold the treat until the dog stops jumping on you) you’re using negative punishment.  We also have times when we use negative reinforcement and positive punishment.  

In behavior training negative and positive don’t mean good or bad, they mean add or subtract. In positive reinforcement, you adding something (for example food) to increase the chance that the dog will do a behavior again.  In negative reinforcement you remove something (for example leash pressure) to increase the chance that the dog will do something again. 

These can also be combined.  For example, a person can apply upward steady leash pressure, as soon as the dog sit, release the pressure, yes and give the dog a treat.  Now you’ll have two ways you can communicate a sit to the dog!

Our Private Lesson Programs all include the most common training equipment we use in them.  This means you don't have to go out and find the training equipment or what size to get or how to fit things to you dog.

We also include commonly used training equipment in our board & train programs.

Private Lessons done with a subscription do not include training equipment as well as group classes do not.

Our Private Lesson Programs cover specific topics with goals at the end of the programs.  We also provide all commonly used training equipment in each program.  The programs start with the Fundamentals and then based on training goals and the dog, the next program may vary.  Clients can also switch over to a private lesson subscription at anytime after finishing a program instead of doing another program.

Our Private Lesson Subscription option are monthly payments with up to 2 lessons per month.  We work through the same training topics as in programs but without a clear beginning or end of each program.  We can help with recommending certain training equipment but you will be responsible for purchasing the equipment.  The monthly subscription can be a great option for those who want a steady payment or more time between lessons for practice.

All our board and trains are customized for each dog and family.  The length (whether one board and train session or several small ones with time home in between) of the board and train is determined by several factors including the behavior issues of the dogs, the training goals of the family and what your needs in order to be a successful member of the family.